Home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the UK, Cumbria has long been a popular destination, whether you’re looking for some time spent outside or a fabulous feast overlooking a shimmering lake.
Home to the likes of Grasmere Gingerbread and Kendal Mint Cake, the Lake District in particular enjoys a long-standing relationship with famous foods, making it unsurprising that this incredible corner of the UK is now home to 13 Michelin star restaurants.
From woodland reveries to welcoming village pubs, the selection of Michelin eateries throughout the Lake District and Cumbria is the most vibrant and varied outside of London - it’s even home to one of the nine restaurants in the country to boast three stars.
So, whether you’re after a decadent pitstop for a post-walk refuel with a difference or somewhere special you can celebrate, these Michelin star restaurants in the Lake District and Cumbria are sure to get those tastebuds tingling.
L’Enclume
Cavendish Street, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands LA11 6QA
Three Michelin stars and a Michelin green star
With most of the ingredients coming straight from the restaurant’s 12-acre farm, L’Enclume embodies the farm-to-fork ethos, promising a taste of Cumbria in every bountiful bite. Situated in a 13th-century blacksmith workshop on the edge of the Lake District, the restaurant enjoys a beautiful blend of timeless and contemporary charms, from the windows that look out over the sun-kissed garden to the beautiful stone exterior.
With Simon Rogan at the helm, who has long since nurtured a passion for local produce, the menus here are a true celebration of seasonal fare, with everything either grown on the farm, foraged from the wilderness on the restaurant’s doorstep, or sourced from local producers. This leads to a phenomenal array of dishes that explore the region, creating a tasting menu that makes it clear why L’Enclume belongs amongst the UK’s top Michelin star restaurants.
Changing frequently, the menu promises toothsome delights that range from Orkney scallops in whey sauce to Cornish monkfish with bay shrimp butter and crisp kale leaves, with their famous Kendal mint stones to finish. A choice of wine pairings is available for every menu, allowing you to delve deep into complimentary flavours as you make your way through the dishes.
For something a little different, why not join one of the farm tours or enjoy a behind-the-scenes dining experience at Aulis Cartmel to see how the food is grown, prepared, and served at one of the country’s top restaurants.
Forest Side
Keswick Road, Grasmere, Ambleside LA22 9RN
One Michelin star
There are few Michelin star restaurants with a better setting than that of Forest Side, which sits nestled within the beautiful scenery that has inspired the likes of William Wordsworth and many others. Finding its home in a fairytale gothic mansion surrounded by lush trees, it’s easy to get swept away by your surroundings here. The restaurant itself has been carefully created to reflect the magical world outside, with neutral tones and large windows overlooking the forest outside.
Grown, reared, and raised within a delightfully small radius, the menu and its ingredients are also inspired by the surrounding landscapes, making it one of the best places to eat in the Lake District for anyone looking to dine locally. Many of the ingredients are grown in the restaurant’s very own garden in Grasmere, creating an even deeper connection to the Lakes.
With a six-course menu at lunchtime and a mouth-watering choice between an eight-course and four-course menu in the evenings (vegetarian menus are available also), there’s something for every time of day and special occasion at Forest Side. The dishes themselves change with the seasons to make the most of the local produce, with examples such as poached North Sea cod, pot-roasted celeriac, and first-of-the-season rhubarb and custard to get your tastebuds tingling.
Dog and Gun Inn
Skelton, Penrith CA11 9SE
One Michelin star
If you’re looking for a proper village pub where you can dine on delicious Michelin star fare with the dog by your side, then the fabulous Dog and Gun Inn is for you. Dog-friendly and boasting a roaring fire for those cooler days, this pub is the perfect after a day spent exploring Cumbria’s dramatic landscapes, whether you fancy a glass of something refreshing or a Michelin starred feast to fill the corners!
As with many of the restaurants that appear in the Michelin guide, the Dog and Gun focuses on exceptional local ingredients that make up an ever-changing selection of dishes on the a la carte menu, from Cartmel Valley venison suet pudding with their famous triple-cooked chips to vanilla crème brûlée with lavender shortbread. Or, if you want to be led on a toothsome journey, stop by for their incredible taster menu, which showcases the very best dishes alongside an optional (but highly recommended) wine pairing.
Rogan & Co
Devonshire Square, Cartmel, Grange-over-Sands LA11 6QD
One Michelin star
Nestled in the heart of Cartmel (and sister to the incredible L’Enclume), Rogan & Co is a wonderfully friendly neighbourhood restaurant that’s quick to make you feel at home. From the beautiful stone exterior to the riverside setting, Simon Rogan could not have chosen a better spot for a Michelin star venture.
Following in the footsteps of L’Enclume, many of the ingredients that make up the creative menus here are homegrown in Simon Rogan’s Our Farm, creating dishes that sing the praises of local fare in every bite. The menu changes regularly, giving the incredible chefs free rein to unleash their skill and imagination, while shining a light on the freshest ingredients of the season.
Think stuffed chicken wing with pickled girolles and monte gusto beans, Herdwick hogget with sweetbread, tender sweet carrot, and black garlic, and chocolate malt tart with conference pear and pineapple weed – not to mention a pre-dessert of Zaino courgette with sweet cheese and a post-dessert cheese platter!
Heft
High Newton, Grange-over-Sands LA11 6JH
One Michelin star
Run by Cumbrian couple Kevin and Nicola Tickle, Heft is a restaurant with deep roots in Cumbria and the Lake District, from the beautiful 17th-century village inn that’s become the restaurant’s home to the local ingredients that make up the Michelin star menu.
Set menus are the name of the game here, offering every guest the chance to feast their way through an assortment of dishes that display true culinary skill alongside local flavours and themes. Lunches offer a four-course dining experience, while evenings pull out all the stops for a 10-course extravaganza. The dishes often bear cheeky names that add character and charm to the menu, from ‘When Daisy met Bramble’ and ‘Onion, onion, onion, mint’ to ‘Apple, lovage & buttermilk in very French toast’.
Heft also plays host to workshops, especially around the Christmas period, when events such as wreath-making and calligraphy offer the chance to create something unique while supping on something delicious.
The Cottage in the Wood
Magic Hill, Whinlatter Forest, Braithwaite CA12 5TW
One Michelin star
An impressive 1,000ft high in the sprawling Whinlatter Forest, The Cottage in the Wood is quite literally one of the top places to eat in the Lake District. The incredible tree-lined location is draw enough, let alone the Michelin starred fare that makes up the mouth-watering menus.
When it comes to dinner with a view, Whinlatter Forest is hard to beat, with tables overlooking the towering trees and slopes beyond – you might even spot one of the resident red squirrels! Bright and airy in the day and candlelit after the sun disappears over the fells, The Cottage in the Wood knows how to set the mood.
Two tasting menus, which alternate across consecutive days, ensure you can enjoy something different with every visit, with lunches offering a lighter alternative to the seven-course evening meal. Dishes frequently promise something new, but always hold local ingredients at their heart, from duck broth and Jerusalem artichoke agnolotti to pear with vermouth and crème fraiche. The water comes from their very own spring on Magic Hill, adding a touch of Lake District magic to the meal.
Lake Road Kitchen
Lake Road, Ambleside LA22 0AD
One Michelin star
The latest restaurant in the Lake District to be awarded a Michelin star, Lake Road Kitchen in Ambleside is a must when visiting the lakeswept wiles of Windermere. The cosy eatery promises an intimate, Nordic-inspired interior with plush sheepskins covering the chairs, while the menu enjoys influences from Japan to France and closer to home.
Choose between five, eight, and 12 courses (and a selection of standard, pescatarian, vegetarian, and vegan menus), with a matching wine list available for each menu. Dishes vary, with the likes of smoked Shetland monkfish with burrata and beetroot, beef shin with Koshihikari rice, and walnut gelato with calvados caramel and autumn raspberry creating a medley of meals to enjoy during your visit.
The Samling
Ambleside Road, Windermere LA23 1LR
One Michelin star
Promising dining at its finest with dramatic views to match, The Samling is the perfect spot to soak up the Lake District’s incredible scenes and cuisine. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer some of the best views across Lake Windermere, while the menu delivers equally tempting sights, with dishes that celebrate a range of homegrown ingredients.
A tasting menu delivers a winsome walkthrough of a selection of dishes, which range from melt-in-the-mouth monkfish to the deliciously tart delights of forced Yorkshire rhubarb and lime leaf – not to mention the tempting wiles of a cheese trolley to really round the meal off!
If you’re looking for an extra special celebration, the Chef’s Table is a superb way to dine at The Samling. An immersive experience through and through, you’ll dine in a wonderfully intimate setting, while watching the chefs work their magic (and considerable skill) as they create plate after plate of award-winning fare.
Pentonbridge Inn
Penton, Carlisle CA6 5QB
One Michelin star
Nestled near the border between North England and Scotland, Pentonbridge Inn has made a name for itself through a beautiful blend of contemporary style and phenomenal food. Utilising local ingredients and clean, simple techniques to create a myriad of well-thought-out dishes, the feast-worthy eight-course tasting menu is an experience all on its own.
Following the seasons – and the flares of inspiration from the kitchen – the set menu often showcases different dishes, from Cornish brown crab to Cumbrian Texel Lamb, and British Isles cheese to baked Amalfi lemon custard. Vegetarian substitutions can be made throughout the tasting menu, just let the staff know at least two days before your reservation.
If you’re looking to be wined and dined in true Michelin star style, then Pentonbridge Inn’s fabulous wine events should be high on your list when staying in Cumbria. Alongside a bespoke menu, you’ll sip and savour your way through a selection of incredible wines as you follow the guidance of sommelier Robert Patla, learning every note and nuance as you go.
Allium at Askham Hall
Askham Hall, Askham, Penrith CA10 2PF
One Michelin star
Situated in the beautiful scenery found around Penrith, Allium celebrates a deep connection to Cumbria, with much of the menu’s ingredients coming from their very own Kitchen Garden or the fields and hedgerows across the Lowther Estate. This field-to-fork ethos is combined with elegant décor to create a dreamy setting in which to sample some Michelin star creations.
On the six-course tasting menu, you’ll find a rolling selection of dishes, from the likes of shorthorn beef tartare with truffled egg yolks and pickles to Creedy Carver duck leg and liver with celeriac and elderberry, while the vegetarian tasting menu showcases dishes such as chestnut gnocchi with shimeji mushrooms, black truffle, and parmesan and garden beetroot with horseradish and dill.
Alongside the delectable tasting menu, an award-winning wine cellar ensures your palate is well and truly catered for, whether you want to experience the perfect wine pairing or a glass of your favourite.
SOURCE at Gilpin Hotel
Crook Road, Windermere LA23 3NF
One Michelin star
From a glass of something special at the champagne bar before you sit down to the last bite of your Michelin star meal, dining at SOURCE is an unforgettable experience, and the perfect way to end a day exploring the lakeside wonder that is Windermere.
The six and 10-course tasting menus change daily, allowing the chefs to continuously create jaw-dropping dishes that celebrate the season and shine a light on local produce, with many ingredients coming from their on-site vertical farm. Alongside the Michelin star dining at SOURCE, you can also stop by for a fabulous afternoon tea in the beautiful Lake House or enjoy flavours from the East at Gilpin Spice, a two AA Rosette restaurant that showcases a real passion for pan-Asian cuisine.
The Cedar Tree by Hrishikesh Desai
Farlam Hall, Hallbankgate, Brampton CA8 2NG
One Michelin star
Named for the ancient tree that stands out front, The Cedar Tree promises an exceptional mix of local ingredients that are used to lip-smacking effect across a range of Indian-inspired dishes, all enjoyed in a welcoming and serene setting with views spilling out across the gardens and lake.
The menu promises a giddy mix of delights, which can be enjoyed as part of a seven-course tasting menu or three-course a la carte. Graze on popcorn ‘Chaat’ and olives as you peruse the drinks and food menus, before settling on the likes of tandoori ‘Wellington’ or fried fillet of cured hake with roasted pineapple and smoked sweet and sour sauce.
If you’re dreaming of a true Cumbrian Sunday (with a breathtaking walk and button-popping roast), then stopping by The Cedar Tree is a must, where their famous Sunday lunch awaits. Fill your meal with classic favourites such as roast sirloin of beef and sticky toffee pudding, the perfect way to round off a day in the Lakes.
Old Stamp House
Church Street, Ambleside LA22 0BU
One Michelin star
Finding its home in the former office of William Wordsworth and celebrating the incredible produce found across the Lake District, the Old Stamp House is Cumbrian through and through, leading to a beautifully thought-out menu that sings the praises of the county.
One of the most beloved Michelin star restaurants in the Lake District, this intimate restaurant welcomes diners for lunch and dinner, with a lighter tasting menu for day guests and a veritable feast in the evenings. From Cumbrian rabbit, Allerdale cheese, and Cartmel valley venison to Grasmere gingerbread, the tasting menus take you on a tour from sea to lake, and farm to fell. When looking for a true Cumbrian feed, the Old Stamp House is the place to go – we recommend pairing your visit with an amble around the lake to properly soak up your incredible surroundings.
Excited to experience the Lake District’s Michelin star fare? Explore our lovely holiday cottages in Cumbria and start planning a foodie stay amongst the towering fells.
